Music/video messaging

ABSTRACT

Device(s) and computer program products for creating custom music/video messages to facilitate and/or improve social interaction. The created music/video messages include at least portions of: music, video, pictures, slideshows, and/or text. The music/video messages enable feelings or emotions to be communicated by the user of the device to one or more recipient device(s).

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/560,833, filed Sep. 4, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/656,252, filed Jan. 22, 2010, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/453,847, filed May26, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/055,940 filed May 23, 2008, the contents of each of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to digital communication, andmore particularly to creating and/or sending music/video messages.

BACKGROUND

Today as digital communication becomes more commonplace, debates remainas to whether such communication helps, or hinders, inter-personalrelationships. On one hand, communication using written words such asemail and instant messaging (IM) remove meaning, or context, (e.g.,facial expressions, gestures, etc.) surrounding the individual(s)communicating. Text messaging, which is becoming a more popular form ofsocial interaction, relies heavily on the use of abbreviated words andacronyms—abridging communications even more. As a result, it is moredifficult to ascertain or interpret true feelings or emotions behindsuch messages. On the other hand, it is recognized that digitalcommunication helps to reduce boundaries that exist in the physicalworld attributed to e.g., geographic distance, social “circles,” andmore.

Every music has a message to say something. The message is for instanceabout love, friendship, family, peace, compassion, and how people canstay together with tolerance. But currently, music is primarily used asa form of entertainment, through personal devices such as CD players,iPods®, laptops or digital players. However, it has not yet been fullyappreciated that music and the message of music may also be used as aform of communication to trigger memories or to express feelings oremotions. Moreover, as the market of multimedia wireless devices, mobilephones and computers spreads and new wireless network technologies arebeing improved, it is now possible to improve relationships and socialnetworks using music/video messaging (music and/or video as a way ofcommunication).

The music industry has been losing sales and revenue for several yearsbecause people are downloading and sharing music/video files over theInternet for cost savings from CD purchase. A survey by Student Monitorin Spring 2006 found more than half of all college students download andshare music illegally. The music industry needs to understand that musicfile sharing is a business model issue that needs to be corrected.Instead of trying to blame the new technologies, the music industryshould be looking at innovative ways to look at the digital media,Internet, mobile phone and cellular network technologies as anopportunity to increase sales. The present invention addresses thisopportunity by introducing music/video messaging devices, methods, andcomputer program products to uncover the unique messaging value of musicthat has not been noticed by music industry. The disclosed music/videomessaging devices and products will encourage users to purchase music,etc. from providers by allowing users to express their feelings and/oremotions via music/video messages.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to music/video messaging devices,methods and computer program products for connecting people on a socialscale through the use of personal communication devices such as:personal computers, laptops, pocket PCs, mobile phones (iPhones®, etc.),portable media players (iPods®, etc.); and communication networks suchas the Internet, wireless/mobile/cellular networks, and more.

The disclosed devices, methods and computer program products addresscertain aforementioned limitations by allowing users to send custommusic/video messages that can be created, edited, etc. to improve and/orfacilitate social interaction. For example, a user or client can createand send a music/video message that in one sense uses music, video,voice, text, etc. as “metadata” for a unique, custom message. In thisway, a user is able to utilize multimedia as a tool to electronicallyconvey his true emotions and/or feelings, trigger memories of sharedexperiences, convey a message based on common interests, and more. Inembodiments, recipient(s) may choose to download the message, edit themessage, and/or forward the message to other friend(s) or recipient(s).Each time the message is edited, forwarded, etc., new user-relatedinformation may be added to the message.

The disclosed devices and computer program products also address certainaforementioned limitations by involving music/video providers in thecommunication process. Preferably, the music/video providers offercontent for users to customize and/or send as a message to others. Byoffering such content, the music/video providers are presented withadditional sources of revenue, and are encouraged to produce or obtainquality products.

According to one aspect, a computer containing instructions residing ona computer-readable storage medium is disclosed such that theinstructions when executed, configure the computer to: receive userinput indicating selected content representative of the user's feelingsand/or emotions; obtain representation(s) of the selected content;combine the representation(s) of the selected content into a singlemusic/video message that represents the user's feelings and/or emotions;receive recipient device information; and send the music/video messageto be displayed and/or played on one or more recipient device(s). In oneembodiment, the computer corresponds to at least one of a: personalcomputer, laptop, personal digital assistant, pocket PC, portable mediaplayer (iPod®, etc.), smartphone and/or mobile phone (iPhone®, etc.). Inanother embodiment, the computer corresponds to a web server, personalcomputer, laptop, mainframe, and/or several computers, servers, handhelddevices or mobile phones connected via a network. Preferably, theselected content corresponds to at least portions of music, video,pictures, slideshows, voice, and/or text message. Additional informationmay include, but is not limited to: sender's name, phone number, e-mailaddress and/or IP address; date; time; as well as recipient(s) name,phone number, e-mail address and/or IP-address, etc. Creating the custommusic/video message includes combining representation(s) of the music,video, pictures, slideshows, voice, and/or text message into a singlemusic/video message. Representation(s) of selected content include, butare not limited to: URLs, links, tags, files, labels, pointers, frames,clips, images, soundbytes, and/or streaming media. In some cases, themusic/video message is displayed and/or played in streaming format forimmediate and real time playback on recipient device(s). Receiving themusic/video message in streaming format allows recipient(s) to listenand/or watch the message, but not to download the music/video file. Thismay be important if the content is protected by copyright law that onlyallows streaming of the content and not the download of actual file ofthat content. In other cases, the music/video message is displayedand/or played after recipient device(s) download the file associatedwith the message. It is appreciated that the instructions residing onthe computer readable medium may take the form of an API, plug-in,add-on, or the like.

According to another aspect, a computer program product residing on acomputer-readable storage medium and containing a set of instructionsexecutable on a user computer is disclosed. The instructions whenexecuted, configure the user computer to: receive user input indicatingselected content representative of the user's feelings and/or emotions;obtain representation(s) of the selected content; combine therepresentations of the selected content into a single music/videomessage that represents the user's feelings and/or emotions; receiverecipient device information; and send the music/video message to bedisplayed and/or played on one or more recipient device(s). The usercomputer corresponds to a: personal computer, laptop, personal digitalassistant (PDA), pocket PC, smartphone, mobile media player (iPod®,etc.), and/or mobile phone (iPhone®, etc.). Preferably, the selectedcontent corresponds to at least portions of music, video, pictures,slideshows, voice, and/or text message. Representation(s) of selectedcontent include URLs, links, tags, files, labels, pointers, frames,clips, images, soundbytes, and/or streaming media. In some cases, themusic/video message is displayed and/or played in streaming format forimmediate and real time playback on recipient device(s). Receiving themusic/video message in streaming format allows recipient(s) to listenand/or watch the message, but not to download the music/video file. Thismay be important if the content is protected by copyright law that onlyallows streaming of the content and not the download of actual file ofthat content. In other cases, the music/video message is displayedand/or played after recipient device(s) download the file associatedwith the message. It is appreciated that the instructions residing onthe computer readable medium may take the form of an API, plug-in,add-on, or the like.

According to yet another aspect, a computer program product residing ona computer-readable storage medium and containing a set of instructionsexecutable on a centralized computer is disclosed. The instructions whenexecuted, configure the centralized computer to: receive input from theuser indicating selected content representative of the user's feelingsand/or emotions; obtain representation(s) of the selected content;combine the representations of the selected content into a singlemusic/video message that represents the user's feelings and/or emotions;receive recipient device information; send the music/video message to bedisplayed and/or played on one or more recipient device(s). Thecentralized computer corresponds to one or more: web server, personalcomputer, laptop, and/or mainframe (e.g., connected over a network).Preferably, the selected content corresponds to at least portions ofmusic, video, pictures, slideshows, voice, and/or text message.Representation(s) of selected content include URLs, links, tags, files,labels, pointers, frames, clips, images, soundbytes, and/or streamingmedia. In some cases, the music/video message is displayed and/or playedin streaming format for immediate and real time playback on recipientdevice(s). Receiving the music/video message in streaming format allowsrecipient(s) to listen and/or watch the message, but not to download themusic/video file. This may be important if the content is protected bycopyright law that only allows streaming of the content and not thedownload of actual file of that content. In other cases, the music/videomessage is displayed and/or played after recipient device(s) downloadthe file associated with the message. It is appreciated that theinstructions residing on the computer readable medium may take the formof an API, plug-in, add-on, or the like.

One advantage of the music/video messages system disclosed herein isthat it helps to improve existing relationships as well as to create newsocial links. Music/video messaging brings happiness and fun to new aswell as existing relationships. The receiver of music/video message willget more value out of the message than from text alone. For example,playing a music/video message will provide different experience to thereceiver of the message than a text message alone. Also, playingmusic/video message can trigger memories and emotions e.g., of shared orpast experiences. For example, playing a wedding song can triggerromantic or sentimental feelings, playing a clip or sound-bite of afavorite movie can trigger happy or inspirational emotions, etc. As aresult, friends and families could use music/video messages tocommunicate their feelings and emotions in new and creative ways that isnot possible to do without it.

The present disclosure offers a solution to problems associated withremotely communicating feelings or emotions based on text alone. Inaddition, unlike systems and methods currently in use, the disclosureallows a user to create a custom music/video message that more closelyreflects their true feelings or emotions instead of being limited to“pre-canned” messages.

Another advantage that the present devices and computer program productscan provide is tailored music/video messages. As a result, music/videomessages tailored to specific situations, interests, etc. may bemessaged between users. Such music/video messages effectively enableusers to communicate their true feelings, ideas, etc. while enablingmusic/video message recipients to experience positive feelings andemotions.

The disclosed music/video messages further allow users to moreaccurately communicate their feelings and/or emotions in remote and/ormobile situations.

Additionally, the disclosed music/video messages enable users to createa fun and social environment.

Furthermore, the disclosed music/video messages help users to strengthenexisting relationships.

The music/video messages created according to the present disclosurefurther enable users to create new social links.

The disclosed music/video messages also serve to motivate music artiststo produce high quality products with positive messages.

Additional advantages that the present devices and computer programproducts can provide is engaging users' feelings and/or emotion toincrease music sales and revenue for music providers.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it enables themusic industry to take advantage of Internet and mobile phone networkcapabilities.

Another advantage is to introduce a new messaging technique by enablingpeople to send the message of music.

Further advantage is that that the present systems and methods can bringartists closer to their fans.

Another advantage is that the present invention provides a new marketingtool for artists.

One more advantage is that the present systems and methods can provideuseful information for data mining to reduce cost and increase revenuefor music industry participants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for creating and/orsending music/video messages.

FIGS. 2a and b illustrate flowcharts for creating and sendingmusic/video messages according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3a is a block diagram depicting a user computer according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3b is a block diagram depicting a centralized computer according toanother exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts various combinations of music video/messages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments ofthe invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The following detailed description describes certainembodiments of the invention, and should not be considered as limitingthe invention to those embodiments.

As used herein, “a” means at least one or more, “music/video provider”means any provider of music, videos, slideshows, images, and/or text andmay include inter alia one or more commercial entities, carriers, and/orservice providers. The music/video message comprises a combination of atleast portions of: music, video, pictures, slideshows, voice, and/ortext. In some embodiments, a user may provide their own music, video,pictures, slideshows and/or text/voice message to be included in themusic/video message. In embodiments, users may choose music, video,pictures, slideshows, and/or text from available lists, charts, icons,displays, etc. from the user device and/or a website to send torecipient(s) as a music/video message.

Turning now to the figures, which depict various exemplary embodimentsof the invention, FIG. 1 shows a system for creating and sendingmusic/video messages. As shown in the Figure, a user device 10 receivesuser input indicative of content selections that represent the user'sfeelings and/or emotions. Representations of the selected content may beobtained directly from storage associated with the user device 10,and/or storage associated with a music/video provider 30. Themusic/video provider 30, in turn, may provide representations of thecontent and/or consult one or more associated databases 40.Representations of selected content include, but are not limited to:URLs, links, tags, files, labels, pointers, frames, clips, images,soundbytes, and/or streaming media. The representations of the selectedcontent are combined by either the user device 10 and/or music/videoprovider 30 to create a custom music/video message. The createdmusic/video message is sent over communication network 20 andcommunication links 80 to be played and/or displayed on one or morerecipient device(s) 70_(1-n). It will be appreciated that communicationnetwork 20 includes any combination of: LANs, WANs, MANs, the Internet,Intranets, private networks, wired and/or wireless (e.g., IEEE 802.11standard, satellite, cellular, GSM/GPRS, 3G, 4G, EDGE, CDMA, TDMA)networks, mobile networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTN),SMS, SMSC, MMS, SMTP/MIME and/or IM distribution networks, aggregators,provisioning and hosting providers, mobile operators, streaming deliveryproviders, service providers, gateways, etc. Communication links 80include transmission links such as wired, wireless, fiber-optic, mobileand the like.

According to one aspect, the user device 10 is configured to create andsend music/video messages representative of the user's feelings and/oremotions. FIG. 2a shows a flowchart illustrating method steps performedby user device 10. As shown in step 202, user device 10 receives inputindicating selected content representative of the user's feelings oremotions. The content may be identified by type (e.g., image, audio,video, text), source (e.g., storage location), etc. See step 204. In206, user device 10 obtains representation(s) of the selected content.Such representations include, but are not limited to: URLs, links, tags,files, labels, pointers, frames, clips, images, soundbytes, and/orstreaming media. The content is combined in step 208 to create a custommusic/video message. Recipient device information is received in step210 and the music/video message is sent to one or more recipientdevice(s) (step 212). It is appreciated that the user device 10 and/ormusic/video provider 30 sends the music/video message using anycombination of HTTP, FTP, SMTP, RTP, WAP, SMS, MMS, IM protocols, or thelike.

According to another aspect, the music/video provider 30 is configuredto create and send music/video messages representative of the user'sfeelings and/or emotions. FIG. 2b shows a flowchart illustrating methodsteps performed by music/video provider 30. It is appreciated that themusic/video provider 30 may comprise at least one of a: server (e.g., aweb server), a PC, a laptop, mainframe, or the like, connected over acommunication network. The user device 10 communicates with themusic/video provider 30 (e.g., by accessing the music/video providers'30 website). In embodiments, the music/video provider may provide musicmessaging service to the user without requiring the user to login. Inother embodiments, the website may use any authentication method such asuser name and password to authenticate the user. In some embodiments,the website may include: login, search, accounting, reporting, feedbackoptions and more. In step 222, the music/video provider 30 receives useraccount information from user device 10, and upon successfulauthentication, receives input from the user device 10 indicatingselected content representative of the user's feelings and/or emotions(step 224). According to step 226, the music/video provider 30 obtainsrepresentation(s) of selected content. The content (or contentrepresentations) are combined in step 228 into a single music/videomessage. In 230, the music/video provider 30 receives recipient device70 _(1-n) information from user device 10. The music/video message isthen sent to be displayed and/or played on the recipient device(s) 70_(1-n) (steps 232, 234). The recipient devices 70 _(1-n) in turn, mayrespond, edit, and/or forward the music video message. See step 236. Inembodiments, the recipient device may receive the music/video message instreaming format. Receiving the music/video message in streaming formatmay only allow the recipient to listen/watch the message and not allowrecipient to download the music/video file. This may be important if thecontent is protected by copyright law that only allows streaming of thecontent and not the download of actual file of that content.

It is understood that the method steps of the present disclosure may beperformed using any combination of hardware and/or software as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art. Preferably, instructionsresiding on computer readable media configure the user computer and/orcentral computer to execute the method steps. Such instructions may bein the form of an API, plug-in, add-on, download, or the like and mayalso contain additional hardware and/or software instructions forperforming the disclosed method steps and/or storing music/videocontent. Software instructions may further include custom macros,sub-routines, logic, or the like implemented using commerciallyavailable software such as MS SQL Server™, VISUAL BASIC®, C, C++, SMIL,XML, HTML, XHTML, JAVA®, JAVASCRIPT®, C#, APIs, etc. According to afurther embodiment, the software instructions for performing thedisclosed method steps reside in whole, or in part, on acomputer-readable medium. In embodiments, the computer readable mediumcorresponds to portions of storage media (14, 34) on user device 10and/or music/video provider 30. Examples of computer readable mediainclude, but are not limited to: hard drives, memory chips (e.g.,RAM/ROM), memory sticks (e.g., USB), memory cards (e.g., SD, SIM, etc.),CDs, DVDs, tapes, or the like. In addition, the computer readable mediamay be integral with, or removable from, user device 10 and/ormusic/video provider 30.

In embodiments, selected content (or representations of content) may becombined using a variety of open source, commercial, or custom “mixing”software, instructions, and/or protocols (such as SMIL players, FFmpeg,etc.). In addition, content (or representations of content) may be mixedusing one or more approach. For example, the selected content (e.g.,music, video, pictures, and/or text) may be combined in a singlecontainer (such as a 3GP container, etc.). In another example, theselected content (e.g., music, video, pictures, and/or text) is combinedby referencing and/or embedding the content in the music/video message.In another example, the selected content is combined using protocolssuch as Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Web Service InitiationProtocol (WIP), MIME, etc. (the RFC's of which are incorporated hereinby reference). In yet another example, the contents are combined byputting them on different layers using any video overlay technique thatwill look like single content to the recipient. In some cases, thecombined content may further include advertising materials. Selectedcontent may include, but is not limited to, the following formats: MP3,WAV, WMA, AppleLossless™, FLAC™, RealAudio™ Ogg™ Vorbis™, Sorenson™,AIFF, AAC, MIDI, MPEG, JPEG, MIDI, 3GPP, AVI, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PNG, MOV,RealVideo™ MJPEG, TXT, etc.

FIG. 3a shows a block diagram of user device 10. The user device 10 isany communication device that includes, but is not limited to: apersonal computer, laptop, personal digital assistant, pocket PC,smartphone, portable media player (iPod®, etc.) and/or mobile phone(iPhone®, etc.). Preferably, the user device 10 comprises: one or moreprocessors 11, one or more transmitters and receivers 12 (includingantennae), a power supply 13 (e.g., connected to a motherboard), storagemedia 14, memory/RAM 15, input device(s) 16, a display 17, and a speaker18. It is appreciated that the one or more processors 11 include a CPU,video processor, audio processor, etc. Examples of storage media 14include: ROM, hard drives, SD cards, micro SD cards, multimedia cards,SIM cards, compact flash, secure digital, memory sticks, CDs, DVDs,floppy disks, zip drives, tapes, and the like. Input devices 16 mayinclude: keyboards, voice input, touch screen, stylus, mouse, etc. Userdevice 10 may also include data interface(s), such as IR, USB, firewire,Bluetooth, etc. (not shown). The user device 10 also includes aproprietary or open source Operating System including, but not limitedto any Windows™ UNIX/Linux™, or MAC™ platform (e.g., iPhone® 3G orlater), RIM™ OS, PALM™ OS, Symbian™, etc. In addition, the user device10 includes a graphical user interface and preferably web browsingcapabilities such as Mobile Explorer™, Opera™, Safari™, or the like. Theuser device 10 may also include a media player residing on storage media14. Examples of suitable media players include, but are not limited to:SMIL players such as Adobe™ Media Player, QuickTime™ Player,RealPlayer™, Helix™ Player, Totem™ Player, Flash™, etc. or otherequivalent proprietary or open source software. In some cases,instructions/updates for creating and sending the music/video messagemay also be downloaded from the music/video provider 30.

FIG. 3b shows a block diagram of music/video provider 30. Themusic/video provider 30 includes, but is not limited to: one or moreserver (e.g., web servers), computers, laptops, mainframes, or the likeconnected over a communication network. Preferably, the music/videoprovider 30 comprises: one or more processors 31 (CPU, video processor,audio processor, etc.), a power supply 32 (e.g., connected to amotherboard), memory/RAM 33, storage media 34, an input/outputcontroller 35, a display 36, input device(s) 37, and I/O communicationports 38. It is appreciated that the one or more processors 31 include aCPU, video processor, audio processor, etc. Examples of storage media 34include: ROM, hard drives, CDROMs, DVDs, memory sticks, memory cards,floppy disks, Zip™ drives, tapes, and the like. Input devices 37 mayinclude: keyboards, voice input, touch screen, stylus, mouse, etc. Themusic/video provider 30 also includes a proprietary or open sourceOperating System including, but not limited to any Windows™,UNIX™/Linux™, or MAC™ platform. Preferably, the music/video provider 30includes web server software including, but not limited to: Apache, IIS,Ubuntu, etc. The music/video provider 30 also preferably includes amedia player residing on storage media 34. Examples of suitable mediaplayers include, but are not limited to, SMIL players such as Adobe™Media Player, QuickTime™ Player, RealPlayer™, Helix™ Player, Totem™Player, Flash™, etc.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the user device 10 registers withthe music/video provider 30 website before creating/sending music/videomessages. For example, a user account may include: name, address, phonenumber, email, and/or credit card information. If necessary, the userdevice 10 downloads any instructions necessary to configure the userdevice 10 to create music/video messages. Preferably, the music/videoprovider 30 displays available content to the user on a website via aseries of lists, charts, icons, displays, etc. According to variousdesign considerations, such content may be grouped by title, artist,theme, subject, keywords, or the like. In addition, a user may searchcontent via the music/video provider 30 website by entering searchterms, keywords, etc. In addition, search capabilities may allow a userto speak the search terms, selections, etc. using voice recognitionsoftware. Once content has been selected, the user provides recipientinformation for delivering a music/video message. Such recipientinformation includes at least one of: email address, phone number,music/video provider site account information (where the recipient hasan account with the same or different music/video provider, or otherservice providers such as Facebook™, MySpace™ YouTube™, AIM™, P1axo™,Twitter™, or the like), account information, etc. In some cases, themusic/video provider 30 is configured to provide “Send” Options toenable user to schedule music/video messages to be sent at specifictimes and dates (e.g. birthday, anniversary, etc.).

The music/video provider 30 combines the selected content using avariety of open, commercial, or custom “mixing” software, instructionsand/or protocols (such as SMIL players, FFmpeg, etc.); by combining thecontent in a single container (such as a 3GP container, etc.); byreferencing and/or embedding the content in the music/video message;using available protocols such as MMS, WIP, MIME, etc., and/or any othersuitable technique as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.In one exemplary embodiment, the music/video provider 30 is configuredto embed the selected content in a file along with other informationregarding the music/video message. For example, the music/video provider30 may be configured to combine content by embedding the informationTABLE I in a single file associated with a music/video message:

TABLE I   <img src=“img.bmp” region=/> <audio src=“sound.mp3”/> <textsrc=“message.txt.” region=/>

In some embodiments, information regarding the music/video message(e.g., sender information, message ID, time/date, recipient information,etc.) is stored in one or more database(s) 40 maintained by themusic/video provider 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the music/video message issent via communication network 20. It is understood that thecommunication network 20 may include one or more distribution chainplayers including, but not limited to: aggregators, gateways,provisioning and hosting providers, mobile operators, SMS centers,streaming delivery providers and/or other service providers, etc. aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The distribution chainplayers are then responsible for notifying one or more of the recipientdevice(s) 70 _(1-n) of the music/video message, adapting, and/ordelivering the message.

It is further appreciated that the music/video provider 30 may be asingle provider or alternatively may correspond to multiple providers.For example, the music/video provider 30 may include one provider thatinterfaces with users and has business relationships with, and is incommunication with, other music/video providers 30. In addition, one ormore music/video provider 30 may offer a various types of content suchas: music and video; music, video and pictures, etc. According tovarious business models, the music/video provider(s) 30 may providecontent to the user and/or recipient(s) for free (e.g., with addedadvertising), or for a fee.

It is appreciated that music/video provider 30 may allow the user toprovide the content rather than using service provider's content. Inthis case, the service provider creates the music/video message usingcontent provided (e.g., uploaded) by the user and sends it to therecipient.

It is also appreciated that the contents and/or instructions forcreating/sending music/video messages may reside completely on the userdevice 10, and that a music/video provider 30 is not necessary. In thiscase, created messages may be stored on storage media 14 accessible bythe user device 10 (e.g., SD card, memory card, etc.). The user then mayselect the music/video content to be communicated to a recipient thatrepresents his/her feeling(s) and/or emotions via a user interface ofthe user device 10. Here, the user device 10 is configured to combinethe selected content (e.g., music, video, pictures, slideshows, voice,and/or text) and send a custom music/video message without contacting amusic/video provider 30. For example, the user device 10 is configuredto combine the selected content by: using a variety of open, commercial,or custom “mixing” software, instructions and/or protocols (such as SMILplayers, FFmpeg, etc.); placing the content in a single container (suchas a 3GP container, etc.); by referencing and/or embedding the contentin the music/video message and/or using available protocols such as MMS,WIP, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the user device 10 is configuredto embed the selected content in a file along with other informationregarding the music/video message. For example, the user device 10 maybe configured to combine content by embedding the information in Table 2in a single file associated with a music/video message:

TABLE II   <img src=“img.bmp” region=/> <audio src=“sound.mp3”/> <textsrc=“message.txt.” region=/>

The music/video message is then sent to communication network 20. It isunderstood that the communication network 20 includes one or moredistribution chain players including, but not limited to: aggregators,gateways, provisioning and hosting providers, mobile operators, SMScenters, streaming delivery providers and/or other service providers,etc. as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Thesedistribution chain players are then responsible for notifying one ormore of the recipient device(s) 70 _(1-n) of the music/video message,adapting, and/or delivering the message. For example, the distributionchain players inform the recipient device(s) 70 _(1-n) that themusic/video message is available. This may be done, for example, bysending an email or text message to the recipient device(s) 70 _(1-n)including instructions for accessing the music/video message. In somecases, the instructions include e.g., a URL link and/or code foraccessing/streaming/downloading the message and its contents.Preferably, the recipient device(s) 70 _(1-n) include, but are notlimited to: mobile phones (iPhones®, etc.), smartphones, portable mediaplayers (iPods®, etc.), laptops, PCs, pocket PCs, and PDAs. In othercases, the recipient device(s) 70 _(1-n), are able to view themusic/video message directly without having to first download thecontents or click on a link. In some cases, the recipient device(s) 70_(1-n) may receive the music/video message in streaming format.Receiving the music/video message in streaming format may allow therecipient to only listen and/or watch the message and not allowrecipient to download the music/video file. This may be important if thecontent is protected by copyright law that only allows streaming of thecontent and not the download of actual file of that content.

FIG. 4 depicts different types of content combined in a music/videomessage (401-406). As shown, various combinations may include, but arenot limited to: music only; music and text/voice; music and video; musicand slide show; music, video and text/voice; music, slide show andtext/voice, etc.

According to another non-limiting example, members of social networkingsites (such as Facebook™, MySpace™, YouTube™, AIM™, Plaxo™, Twitter™, orthe like) may send music/video messages to their network of friends.When a social networking user receives a music/video message fromanother member, the user may keep the message, or part of the message,private or public. The user may allow others to see information such asnumber of music/video messages that the user has or who the sender is.The user may also allow other members to listen and/or watch the user'smusic/video messages.

EXAMPLE 1

A user wants to include Madonna's “Crazy for You” music/video into amusic/video message and send it to a recipient phone number which is inour example 703-470-3040. The user brings up a mobile phone's textmessaging screen and enters the text message “7034703040 Madonna (Crazyfor You)”. This text message is sent to the music/video provider's shortcode (which, in this example is 123456). As soon as music/video serviceprovider 30 receives the text message, the music/video provider 30creates the music/video message and sends it to the recipient contactinformation which, in this example, is recipient's phone number703-470-3040.

EXAMPLE 2

A user wants to include Madonna's “crazy for you” music/video into amusic/video message that also contains text such as “I AM REALLY CRAZY”and send it to a recipient phone number 703-470-3040. The user brings upa mobile phone's text messaging screen and enters the message“7034703040 Madonna (Crazy for You) (I AM REALLY CRAZY)”. This textmessage is sent to music/video provider's short code (which, in thisexample is 123456). As soon as music/video service provider 30 receivesthe text message, the music/video provider 30 creates the music/videomessage and sends it to the recipient contact information which, in thisexample, is recipient's phone number 703-470-3040.

EXAMPLE 3

A user's mobile phone number is 310-230-9000 and the user wants to sendMadonna's “crazy for you” music/video into a music/video message andsend it to a recipient phone number 703-470-3040. The user creates anemail and enters the text message “310-230-9000 7034703040 Madonna(Crazy for You)”. The user sends this email message to music/videoprovider's email address. As soon as music/video service provider 30receives this email message, the music/video provider 30 creates themusic/video message and sends it to the recipient contact informationwhich, in this example, is recipient's phone number 703-470-3040. Themusic/video provider 30 may also to choose to call the user's mobilephone number or send an SMS text message and ask for confirmation beforesending the music/video message to the recipient.

EXAMPLE 4

A user wants to include Madonna's “Crazy for You” music/video into amusic/video message and send it to a recipient phone number703-470-3040. The user dials the music/video provider's phone number andleaves a voice message “7034703040 Madonna (Crazy for You)”. As soon asmusic/video service provider 30 receives this voice message, themusic/video provider 30 creates the music/video message and sends it tothe recipient contact information which, in this example, is recipient'sphone number 703-470-3040. The music/video provider 30 may also tochoose to call the user's mobile phone number or send an SMS textmessage and ask for confirmation before sending the music/video messageto the recipient.

EXAMPLE 5

A music artist wants to promote her new album. The artist logs in to heraccount at a music/video provider 30, uploads her new song (if themusic/video provider does not have that song) and also provides mobilephone number of her fans as contact information (if the music/videoprovider does not have them). She may also provide a text message suchas “Dear friend, enjoy my new song” and request the music/video provider30 to send it. As soon as music/video provider 30 receives the artist'srequest, the music/video provider 30 creates the music/video message andsends an SMS message that contains a link to the music message to therecipients' mobile phone 70 _(1-n). Recipient(s) are then able to clickon the link, and the mobile phone 70 _(1-n) will show the music/videomessage in streaming format.

The foregoing discussion of the preferred embodiments has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the above examples. Manyvariations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is to be definedonly by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A method for multimedia messaging via a communicationnetwork, the method comprising: receiving a multimedia message from amultimedia content provider, wherein the multimedia message receivedfrom the multimedia content provider comprises a representation ofmultimedia content selected by a user via a user device; delivering themultimedia message to a recipient at a social media site based on adelivery request, wherein: the delivery request is provided by the uservia the user device, the delivery request indicates delivery of themultimedia message to the recipient at the social media site, therepresentation of the multimedia content is a uniform resource locator(URL), a link, or a pointer to the multimedia content, a data storeaccessible by the multimedia content provider stores the multimediacontent selected by the user, and the URL, the link, or the pointerdesignates the multimedia content stored at the data store accessible bythe multimedia content provider.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein themultimedia content selected by the user includes: music content, audiocontent, video content, image content, audiovisual content, or textcontent, or any combination of the music content, the audio content, thevideo content, the image content, the audiovisual content, and the textcontent.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the multimediamessage comprises delivering the representation of the multimediacontent to the recipient.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the deliveryrequest comprises information specifying the recipient at the socialmedia site.
 5. A system comprising: a processor; a computer-readablestorage device; and program instructions stored on the computer-readablestorage device that, when executed by the processor, control the systemto: receive a multimedia message from a multimedia content provider,wherein the multimedia message received from the multimedia contentprovider comprises a representation of multimedia content selected by auser via a user device; deliver the multimedia message to a recipient ata social media site based on a delivery request, wherein: the deliveryrequest is provided from a device of the user via the user device, thedelivery request indicates delivery of the multimedia message to therecipient at the social media site, the representation of the multimediacontent is a uniform resource locator (URL), a link, or a pointer to themultimedia content, a data store accessible by the multimedia contentprovider stores the multimedia content selected by the user, and theURL, the link, or the pointer designates the multimedia content storedat the data store accessible by the multimedia content provider.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the multimedia content selected by the userincludes: music content, audio content, video content, image content,audiovisual content, or text content, or any combination of the musiccontent, the audio content, the video content, the image content, theaudiovisual content, and the text content.
 7. The system of claim 5,wherein delivering the multimedia message comprises delivering therepresentation of the multimedia content to the recipient.
 8. The systemof claim 5, wherein the delivery request comprises informationspecifying the recipient at the social media site.
 9. A method for acontent provider to communicate multimedia content via a communicationnetwork, the method comprising: displaying, by the content provider viaa device of a user, one or more selectable content items; receiving, bythe content provider from the device of the user, a request fordelivering multimedia content to a recipient via a social media site atwhich the recipient has an account, the multimedia content including atleast one user-selected content item of the one or more selectablecontent items; and delivering, by the content provider via thecommunication network, a representation of the multimedia content to therecipient at the social media site, wherein: the representation of themultimedia content is a uniform resource locator (URL), a link, or apointer to the multimedia content, a data store accessible by thecontent provider stores the multimedia content, the URL, the link, orthe pointer designates the multimedia content stored at the data storeaccessible by the content provider, and the communication networkreceives the representation of the multimedia content from the contentprovider.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more selectablecontent items comprise: music content, audio content, video content,image content, audiovisual content, or text content, or any combinationof the music content, the audio content, the video content, the imagecontent, the audiovisual content, and the text content.
 11. The methodof claim 9, wherein receiving the request comprises: receiving, via thedevice of the user, information specifying the recipient.
 12. The methodof claim 9, wherein the multimedia content stored at the data store isaccessible by a device of the recipient using the representation of themultimedia content.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprisingstreaming the multimedia content to a device of the recipient.
 14. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the multimedia content includes a contentitem provided via the device of the user.
 15. The method of claim 9,wherein the one or more selectable content items is provided by thecontent provider.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the multimediacontent comprises a combination of the at least one user-selectedcontent item with a second content item.
 17. The method of claim 16,further comprising mixing, using mixing software or mixing instructions,the at least one user-selected content item with the second contentitem.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein: the at least oneuser-selected content item is a music content, audio content or videocontent; and the second content item comprises one or more of: textcontent entered by the user, music content, video content and audiocontent.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second content item isprovided from the device of the user.
 20. A system for a contentprovider to communicate multimedia content via a communication network,the system comprising: a processor; a computer-readable storage device;and program instructions stored on the computer-readable storage devicethat, when executed by the processor, control the system to: display oneor more selectable content items at a device of a user; receive, fromthe device of the user, a request for delivering multimedia content to arecipient via a social media site at which the recipient has an account,the multimedia content including at least one user-selected content itemfrom the one or more selectable content items; and deliver, via thecommunication network, a representation of the multimedia content to therecipient at the social media site, wherein: the representation of themultimedia content is a uniform resource locator (URL), a link, or apointer to the one or several content items selected by the user, a datastore accessible by the content provider stores the multimedia content,the URL, the link, or the pointer designates the multimedia contentstored at the data store accessible by the content provider, and thecommunication network receives the representation of the multimediacontent from the content provider.
 21. The system of claim 20, whereinthe one or more selectable content items comprise: music content, audiocontent, video content, image content, audiovisual content, or textcontent, or any combination of the music content, the audio content, thevideo content, the image content, the audiovisual content, and the textcontent.
 22. The system of claim 20, wherein the receiving the requestcomprises: receiving, via the device of the user, information specifyingthe recipient.
 23. The system of claim 20, wherein the programinstructions further control the system to stream the multimedia contentto a device of the recipient.
 24. The system of claim 20, wherein themultimedia content stored at the data store is accessible by a device ofthe recipient using the representation of the multimedia content. 25.The system of claim 20, wherein the multimedia content includes acontent item provided via the device of the user.
 26. The system ofclaim 20, wherein the one or more selectable content items is providedby the content provider.
 27. The system of claim 20, wherein themultimedia content comprises a combination of the at least oneuser-selected content item with a second content item.
 28. The system ofclaim 27, further comprising mixing, using mixing software or mixinginstructions, the at least one user-selected content item with thesecond content item.
 29. The system of claim 28, wherein: the at leastone user-selected content item is a music content, audio content orvideo content; and the second content item comprises one or more of:text content entered by the user, music content, video content and audiocontent.
 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the second content item isprovided from the device of the user.